DSR 11C
2
assistance to those who would otherwise find it difficult
to make their way in society, represent a major
achievement in practical humanity. This is perhaps
not an aspect of Hong Kong which is as widely known as
it should be in the United Kingdom, where it is all
too common for people to see Hong Kong in purely
economic terms, and to overlook her important achieve-
ments in other fields.
I would like to take this opportunity to reiterate to
you, the commercial leaders of the Territory, how
thoroughly committed to Hong Kong the British Government
are. If people say that Her Majesty's Government do
not have the interests of the people of Hong Kong at
heart then I tell them now that they are wrong.
may sometimes be disagreements between us
-
There
there are in
assure
any relationships however close but I can
you that our aim is to preserve Hong Kong's prosperity
and stability. It is up to the people of Britain and
the people of Hong Kong to work together to develop and
strengthen the relationship between us.
I should now like to share some thoughts with you on
British industry and commerce. Like others', our
industry and commerce has had to work against the
background of a recession in its major trading partners.
This has hit even such strong economies as the United
States and the German Federal Republic.
/But,